Marlboro Man, the kids, Tim, his kids, and the cowboys got up at 3:30 Tuesday morning in order to drive over an hour away to work cattle. I also got up at 3:30 Tuesday morning, not because I was going with them to work cattle–but because moms in the country have to get up when their kids and husband get up or they look real, real dumb. And because I had to crawl under sofas, look under stacks of books, dump out boots, and peer behind bookshelves in order to help everyone find all the spurs, gloves, and hats they invariably can never find at 3:30 in the morning. It’s amazing how that happens. And because I have to kiss them and hug them and lay my hands on them before they go, and tell them to be careful, have fun, and help their dad.

Then wait till I see the truck driving away on the gravel road before I violently hop back in my bed for another hour or four of shut-eye.

Marlboro Man took my camera that day.

I loved the shots he came home with. The land where they went to work is very close to where his mother grew up–it’s right on the Kansas line, and it’s even more remote than where we live. It’s beautiful countryside.

Hi, baby. You’re the youngest in the family and you make me proud every single day of your life.

See that home in the distance? That’s where my mother-in-law grew up. She’s told me so many stories of her childhood, about her summer days spent walking the creek with her Border Collie, about her sister, who loved staying in the kitchen and cooking, while my mother-in-law loved lying in the fields and looking up at the huge sky.

I get a lump in my throat when I visit this place, either in person or in photos, because it’s the place my mother-in-law has told me about so many times. She used to lie on the ground and stare at the sky, she tells me, and think about all the places she wanted to visit and travel to and explore and live when she grew up. Her sister, on the other hand, dreamed about staying close to home.

So here’s what happened: her sister married an Air Force man and lived in Japan, Germany, and everywhere but home.

My mother-in-law married a rancher and moved to the next county.

We always laugh about that.

Her big dreams took her one county over.

Her sister’s small dreams took her across the world.

See those kids coming out of the creek, bringing up the tail end of the herd?

And their dads, who are presiding over it all?

They’re here because my mother-in-law went where life and love–not her dreams–took her.

Other Posts You Might Enjoy

507 Comments and 20 Replies

201

MEG On Thursday, May 19 at 6:14 pm

Amen to family ranches and the women behind them. I love this story.

202

Connie On Thursday, May 19 at 6:14 pm

What a beautiful story and beautiful countryside. I am so jealous of the life your kids are living, it is what I would have loved to do as a child and as an adult. Funny how our lives turn out, isn’t it

203

Valarie On Thursday, May 19 at 6:21 pm

Where life and love took her…..what a beautiful sentiment…..actually, much more than a sentiment……..a declaration of reality that she was wise enough to grab hold of and not let go…… peace and blessings! JustNanny

Suzanne On Thursday, May 19 at 6:25 pm

Beautiful post! Beautiful pictures! I was just thinking yesterday how a single decision in my younger years changed the whole course of my life.

207

roro On Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 pm

Lovely land and sounds like you are blessed with a gem of mother-in-law!

208

Carrie On Thursday, May 19 at 6:39 pm

It sounds like you and your mother-in-law have something in common, yes? You dreamed of life in the city, but that handsome hunk-of-a-man of yours (errrrr…..love) kept you right where you belong. Loved this!!

bobbie On Thursday, May 19 at 6:56 pm

What a lovely turn of phrase: “where life and love–not her dreams–took her.” I need to keep remembering that line. And I hope your mother-in-laws gets to some of those dreams in years to come — or to newer dreams she may have.

215

Jeanne B On Thursday, May 19 at 7:08 pm

I’ve been saying this for the last forty years and today the beautiful story and tribute to your mother in law made it real…. Love wins.

216

Lynn On Thursday, May 19 at 7:08 pm

Yes! More people of our generation and all following generations need to REALIZE and embrace that great and wonderful things can happen even when our best laid dreams don’t exactly happen the way we thought they would.

If we ask and embrace all things in prayer then all will be good.

ALL things work together for good to those who love the lord!

217

Kara On Thursday, May 19 at 7:12 pm

And you must have such a special kinship with your MIL because you too followed love instead of the dreams of law school and the big city! Now where do I find these cowboys to fall in love with?

218

Carrie On Thursday, May 19 at 7:14 pm

I wish that I could share with you how truly uplifting and full of hope this story is for me. I’ve fallen in love with a farmer, and I’m about to go where love takes me – one county over.

Beautiful pictures! I grew up in NE Oklahoma (Bartlesville) and my mom grew up in Grainola. Many a summer I spent exploring those fields and fishing those ponds around my grandparents dairy farm. Thanks for this beautiful post that reminds me of home, and accurately depicts the beauty of Oklahoma. I too was happy to stay close to home, and here I am living in Hawaii now! Go figure!

221

Sru On Thursday, May 19 at 7:25 pm

Lovely post!

222

Laura V. On Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 pm

This is BY FAR my favorite “confession”. So beautiful and moving, and the pictures are gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing!

223

Leila On Thursday, May 19 at 7:31 pm

Ree – has something changed with the way the RSS service is working? I used to get all your posts from kitchen to photography to confessions, etc.. in my subscription when viewed on Google Reader but not all of a sudden I’m only getting some of them. Didn’t get any of the recent photography ones or the cooking one. Just wondered if something changed.

I remember laying on top of the picnic table when I was 13 or so, watching the night sky and wishing it could go on forever. I haven’t thought about that in a long time – but you’ve taken me back. All the best – Chris

225

Theresa in Alberta On Thursday, May 19 at 7:33 pm

Life is funny that way eh! Looking at that vast beautiful prairie I can almost imagine the covered wagon of the Inglas family.
p.s. I would have gone back to bed also

Such a touching story, it’s funny how life works out sometimes. You think you know what you want and what your plans are, and then something happens that changes all of that and rearranged your priorities, in a good way.

227

Jessica On Thursday, May 19 at 7:36 pm

What beautiful pictures! Made me feel peaceful just to look at them. Great post, Ree!

228

sea side gal On Thursday, May 19 at 7:36 pm

Thanks for your tribute. It makes me miss my beautiful mother in law and also the son she gave me. They are both in heaven. It is so heart warming to see a family that is filled with love and respect for each other, not one of strife. I hope God has blessed all of the Drummond children to pass this on to their families.

okdatanerd On Thursday, May 19 at 7:55 pm

Jake Habib On Thursday, May 19 at 7:55 pm

I do believe that today’s blog entry is one of your finest yet! It made me reflect on my youthful dreams and where my life has so far taken me. Thank you Ree!

236

sooz On Thursday, May 19 at 7:58 pm

That’s so sweet. Love the sentiment, Ree.

237

Beth On Thursday, May 19 at 7:59 pm

Ree, this post made me tear up! What a beautiful story and a wonderful relationship you have with your Mother-in-law. Thank you for your eloquent words, I feel the same about my Mother-in-law, although she grew up in suburban Massachusetts and not the gorgeous prairie. How true that life and love will take you where they please.

And by the way, my 6 & 2 year olds really dig your book about Charlie! They love looking for the chipmunk.

That’s so classic, about your MIL and her sister! My best friend wanted a small family and to live overseas, somewhere hot. I loved the cool rainy NW and wanted lots of kids. She stayed here and had 7 kids. I moved to the Sahara desert and only got pg twice (twins, so 3 kids). We rarely live out our dreams, but I think most of us end up content, overall, with the lives we have chosen.

You live in a beautiful spot on earth. Wide open spaces. I live in south Georgia where there are so many trees we can’t see very far off in too many places. Even though it’s heavily agriculture here, there are always woods around the cultivated fields. Although you and I have different views out our windows, God created it all in a beautiful way. Thanks for sharing your view with us!

240

Caitlin On Thursday, May 19 at 8:05 pm

Loved the distinction between going where life and love, rather than your dreams, take you. I think it’s so easy to get wrapped up in yourself and what you would love to selfishly accomplish. When something is undeniably right, you can’t ignore it! How much would be different had she chosen the other road? Love that idea.

241

E On Thursday, May 19 at 8:12 pm

What a sweet, sweet post.

242

VA On Thursday, May 19 at 8:13 pm

We spent several months (12) on a job site just south of Slapout, OK. There was nobody out there within shouting distance, my husband worked long days, but came to the house for all meals and even coffee breaks. I had no responsibilities like clubs, church, yard work, etc. All I had to do was cook for my man and keep the house clean. We loved being up there. It was gorgeous except when the tornado clouds came. I had time to make a double wedding ring quilt for my son – and he didn’t even know any girls. You are blessed because you are appreciative, Ree.

243

Susan Warnock On Thursday, May 19 at 8:17 pm

so sweet, our lives are exactly what god planned….not what we planned.

244

Jamie M On Thursday, May 19 at 8:19 pm

The dreams of little girls in agriculture..My sister teaches biology at a college. I took 32 years to move off the homestead, across the county with my childhood friend, now husband. My sister has traveled the world…I still farm all the same fields I did as a little girl and quite a few more. Life is as close to perfect as it can get. Funny where life takes you.

245

Erika On Thursday, May 19 at 8:19 pm

And I got a lump in my throat reading that simple last statement. I am moving from Michigan to Wyoming in July. Not because it is a dream of mine. Because Michigan’s economy sucks. Because Michigan’s education budget sucks more. Because I am a teacher. I am a teacher who has a bestest friend living in Wyoming with her family…with my “family.” I also happen to have found love in those wide open places. So my life and my love are taking me west. And I have a feeling that this move is going to make the dreams I never knew I had come true.

I love to see your prarie pics. Where I live it’s very hilly and we have so many trees that you don’t see such an open, panoramic view like yours. It’s very lovely! Thanks for sharing.

247

downthelanegirl On Thursday, May 19 at 8:33 pm

Beautiful post!

248

Ashley S. On Thursday, May 19 at 8:33 pm

This post brought tears to my eyes (partly because I’m pregnant and partly because your mother-in-law reminds me of myself). I once had big dreams of going to South America and working in villages as a nurse but met the love of my life and live in a town of 500 10 miles away from my home town on the edge of the flint hills in Kansas. I’m so happy I chose my heart over my dreams and I’m glad your mother-in-law did too.

249

stu On Thursday, May 19 at 8:34 pm

awww, I just got a little teary

250

Marian On Thursday, May 19 at 8:34 pm

Ree you are so sweet.

251

Alicia On Thursday, May 19 at 8:35 pm

What a wonderful story. I wish everyone could have that type of relationship with their mother-in-law!!!

252

Becky in PA On Thursday, May 19 at 8:36 pm

how stunning! the countryside is so beautiful there. Stuck in the hills of PA I envy the wide open expanse albeit the hills here can be beautiful too. But how I want too to just lie in that grass and look up at the sky. Great pics.

253

Melanie On Thursday, May 19 at 8:38 pm

Beautifully written. Gorgeous photos. Ree, your life, your family, thank you for sharing so much of it with all of us.

ileen in houston On Thursday, May 19 at 8:48 pm

Isn’t it ironic!
A perfect example of how life takes twists and turns one would never expect.
Thank you Ree for sharing another poignant post. You should write a book. Oh wait…
;-D
One more thing; I’m sure even though both women’s lives didn’t turn out exactly the way they ‘planned’ it to be, I’m sure they both were happy with the outcome!

That’s why you have achieved your dreams, you are grounded by your family and by that land. That ranch is everything that is great about America…the blue sky that your mother in law dreamed under is still there for your kids!

260

jadine On Thursday, May 19 at 8:53 pm

I love the part about the dreams. Also, it must be sort of an adventure to see the pictures someone else takes in your absence. Getting up at 3:30 is just crazy talk, though. Ugg.

261

Anne B-P On Thursday, May 19 at 8:54 pm

Beautiful pictures, thank you for sharing! As the saying goes: “Man proposes and God disposes”; we never know exactly what life has in store for us and it is good when people are open to a new plan different from the one they concocted for themselves!

It’s amazing how love somehow becomes more important than all those dreams, and how it seems to bloom when you least expect it.

I went to school in Chicago to get away from small-town life, from the country and the corn. Now I’m marrying a man who grew up on a farm ten minutes away from the place I was trying to get away from, and all these buildings make me anxious and claustrophobic. I want the country and the corn, surprisingly enough. And most of all, I want him!

Liz U On Thursday, May 19 at 9:38 pm

Kari Callin On Thursday, May 19 at 9:39 pm

Beautiful country pictures….but missing the horse’s ears in the shots…just a wee bit.

275

Robin in the Sticks of Texas On Thursday, May 19 at 9:44 pm

THAT. is. BEAUTIFUL. in so many ways not seen. lovely.

276

GrammieB On Thursday, May 19 at 9:53 pm

Ah, PW you make all of us with mother in-law issues feel very small. Since I live on the wide open spaces in KS I can relate to the big starry sky and dreams of going to far places. But, “There is no place like home.” That being said by a Native Texan who married into a KS family.

MMM, or better known as Marlboro Mans Mother, is a lucky lady to have you as a daughter in law

278

Paula On Thursday, May 19 at 9:56 pm

Beautiful pictures and even more beautiful story. I grew up helping on my aunt’s farm here in CT and there is nothing like lying in a field looking at the sky. Remembering those days always center me when I’m stressed. You are so blessed, Ree, I envy you sometimes. :o)

279

Sondra Ives On Thursday, May 19 at 9:58 pm

You just have a way of expressing yourself that touches my heart. I’m glad your mother-in-law followed her heart because I too am benefitting from her decision.

280

Jan On Thursday, May 19 at 10:03 pm

You share such fun in your writing. My thought at the conclusion was, “How poetic.” You give us insights and humor and love and thankfulness and humility. Thanks Ree, you’re a star.

Sounds like a lot of other women I know who fell in love with farmers and ranchers. Once you fall in love with them, you move to where they are and build new dreams and can’t imagine life any other way.

282

Leslee Cotterell-Barrow On Thursday, May 19 at 10:11 pm

I love spring, when everything is so, so green.
My favourite colour, of coarse.

diane in texas On Thursday, May 19 at 10:13 pm

ab-so-lute-ly breathtaking!!!!!!!

285

Judie Church On Thursday, May 19 at 10:16 pm

Beautiful! God’s plan, not our plan.

286

Shirley On Thursday, May 19 at 10:28 pm

I agree with everybody else — gorgeous pictures, beautiful sentiments — but I keep wondering why MM’s pictures are always taken from a distance. On days he takes the camera, he gets to sit out the work? I’m just sayin’. (grin)

287

Leah On Thursday, May 19 at 10:29 pm

This post reminds me of my life. We make plans and dream dreams. Then, life takes over and we end up where we never thought…and sometimes, where we swore we’d never go. The strangest part, at least for me, I’m so completely happy here. Life is beautiful. Thanks for the reminder.

288

Elizabeth On Thursday, May 19 at 10:31 pm

A similar thing happened with my Mom and her sister. My mom loved to be outside, and would gladly hoe tobacco or work in the garden as a kid, while her older sister hated being outside and getting dirty, volunteering to do the indoor tasks. Her sister married a farmer, and my mom married my dad and moved into town. She had to content herself with potted plants, a LOT of potted plants, for a number of years. I for one am glad SHE did!

Sonya On Thursday, May 19 at 10:31 pm

You are giving your kids a precious gift with their country life and the family connections right there. I love the pictures too. I LOVE the green grassy hills. It makes me happy just to see them.

291

Kris On Thursday, May 19 at 10:50 pm

Like many of your previous posts about the your family and their love of the land and the legacy of past generations to future, this gives me goosebumps. Thank you for another post that has touched my heart.

292

LexyAnn On Thursday, May 19 at 10:57 pm

this is the kansas i love and live in….. thanks for showing everyone this beautiful land!

293

Jeanne On Thursday, May 19 at 10:59 pm

That was such a beautiful pictorial story….I think I breathed deep!

294

Tina H. On Thursday, May 19 at 11:01 pm

Amazing land, photos, kids, and story!

295

Barbara On Thursday, May 19 at 11:02 pm

I rode/drove down highway 75 hundreds of times as a kid from Kansas to Bville and never noticed the beauty I see in your pictures. I’m sure I just wasn’t smart enough to look that closely. Great job with that camera!

296

Jan On Thursday, May 19 at 11:03 pm

Nancy On Thursday, May 19 at 11:04 pm

Beautiful story! It sounds like you have a wonderful mother in law to have shared so much of herself with you. And I think that you are an awsome person to have the vision and heart to see and relay such wonderful stories. It’s such a fast paced materialistic life anymore, most people would have never even slowed down enough to realize, let alone, share such a beautiful story.

298

Shie On Thursday, May 19 at 11:04 pm

This is a wonderful tribute to life. Thanks for the wonderful pictures.

299

Jan On Thursday, May 19 at 11:09 pm

Beautiful scenery. Such a loving tribute to your Mother-in-law and her heritage. Your children will thank you some day.
I can identify with her, married more than 41 years, and living just 12 miles from where I was born. I still have dreams of travel, and dearly would love to see Hawaii. Still dreaming…